​The ability to be emotionally separate is foundational to maturity in leadership. Emotional separateness can be thought of as keeping one's emotions apart from the emotions of others, or being a distinct self. When emotions become entangled, individuality gets fogged over. Many social systems, such as families, organizations, community groups, promote a kind of emotional entanglement, mistaking this entanglement for connection. Paradoxically, emotional separateness is a pre-requisite for deeper connection in relationships. To have a true connection, one must first be a separate individual.